Due to a groundswell of interest in the agent/broker training and registration process, we were just informed earlier today that HHS is making available the agent/broker training program starting TOMORROW Thursday, 8/1.

The agent/broker training program will be Part 1 of a two part registration process. Part 2, where agents and brokers will create a Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE) user account and be completely authorized to enroll consumers beginning 10/1, will be available at an unspecified date later this month. We are told that the link to the training itself (Part 1) will be posted tomorrow on the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight's (CCIIO) agent/broker website found here: http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Programs-and-Initiatives/Health-Insurance-Marketplaces/a-b-resources.html

In addition, to help build awareness of the availability of the training program (Part 1), CCIIO is hosting a series of "preview" webinars, which will be conducted on four separate occasions this week, with two tomorrow and two on Friday. These webinars are an opportunity for agents and brokers wishing to assist consumers in the FFEs to learn more about the training process. The webinar will include step-by-step instructions for accessing and completing the training.

Agents and brokers choosing to participate in the preview (which is not required to complete the training) should click on one of the informational webinar links below to register for a session. Each webinar can accommodate up to 1,000 registrants, and will be available on a first come/first serve basis. For those that are not able to attend the webinar, HHS will post the webinar slides on the CCIIO agent/broker website following the presentations. Choose a date from the schedule below that best meets your needs, and click on the webinar link to register for the session.

In addition, please be sure to read IN&V tomorrow for a further update on a separate, previously scheduled webinar for Big "I" members only, conducted by CCIIO, on August 23rd from 1pm to 2:30pm (EST). This webinar will detail the full registration process, both the training details mentioned above as well as the creation of a FFE user account. The webinars this week are in addition to, and do not replace, IIABA's August 23rd webinar.

MAIA will continue to pass along information regarding the training and certification process as we receive it.